This week I decided to interview my friend's roommate Arnold. Arnold is quite an interesting individual and has a really amazing story and background so I thought he would be a great person to interview about multiculturalism. As you will find out from the video Arnold is a foreign exchange student at ACU. His family currently lives in Dubai, but he has lived in many different countries throughout his life. There are many challenges that international students face such as "fitting in" to a new culture, finding new friends, adjusting to new classes and teachers who may teach differently or speak a new language, but the most difficult of these challenges would be "fitting in" as Arnold explains in the video. When you are not easily accepted into a new culture most of the time you employ coping skills in order to get through this tough time. Some of these coping skills might include using drugs or alcohol to try and forget about the issues you are facing or completely secluding yourself and cutting the people who do accept you completely off. I say that drugs or alcohol can be used a s a coping mechanism because although Arnold did not share it in the video he did share with me that he once had a drug and alcohol problem. He has since overcome this issue, but he did mention that it was a big problem for him at one time. Later I asked Arnold about a coping mechanism that he uses now and he said in order to make him feel better about not being at home he constantly surrounds himself with friends. This is a positive coping mechanism that he has used. In Arnold's case he adapted to not '"fitting in" by deciding that he just didn't care what people thought of him anymore. In my opinion this choice has made him into a very extraordinary and caring individual. Arnold has been placed in and experienced many different cultures around the world and he himself is also a mixture of many cultures, but throughout his life he has always tried to embrace and learn in whatever culture he has been placed in. Arnold has been through a considerable amount for being only twenty, yet he has taken it all in stride and become a very driven and joyful individual. I hope through Arnold's story you can see that no matter what circumstances are placed in front of you, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to just like he has and continues to do. #PsychStory
Sunday, April 1, 2018
Arnold's Story
This week I decided to interview my friend's roommate Arnold. Arnold is quite an interesting individual and has a really amazing story and background so I thought he would be a great person to interview about multiculturalism. As you will find out from the video Arnold is a foreign exchange student at ACU. His family currently lives in Dubai, but he has lived in many different countries throughout his life. There are many challenges that international students face such as "fitting in" to a new culture, finding new friends, adjusting to new classes and teachers who may teach differently or speak a new language, but the most difficult of these challenges would be "fitting in" as Arnold explains in the video. When you are not easily accepted into a new culture most of the time you employ coping skills in order to get through this tough time. Some of these coping skills might include using drugs or alcohol to try and forget about the issues you are facing or completely secluding yourself and cutting the people who do accept you completely off. I say that drugs or alcohol can be used a s a coping mechanism because although Arnold did not share it in the video he did share with me that he once had a drug and alcohol problem. He has since overcome this issue, but he did mention that it was a big problem for him at one time. Later I asked Arnold about a coping mechanism that he uses now and he said in order to make him feel better about not being at home he constantly surrounds himself with friends. This is a positive coping mechanism that he has used. In Arnold's case he adapted to not '"fitting in" by deciding that he just didn't care what people thought of him anymore. In my opinion this choice has made him into a very extraordinary and caring individual. Arnold has been placed in and experienced many different cultures around the world and he himself is also a mixture of many cultures, but throughout his life he has always tried to embrace and learn in whatever culture he has been placed in. Arnold has been through a considerable amount for being only twenty, yet he has taken it all in stride and become a very driven and joyful individual. I hope through Arnold's story you can see that no matter what circumstances are placed in front of you, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to just like he has and continues to do. #PsychStory
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Hi Sarah! I really enjoyed reading your blog. I found Arnold's story interesting because I haven't had to experience "fitting in" to another culture like he has. It must have been so hard to cope with fitting into each group and I agree that alcohol and drugs tend to be a common coping mechanism although Arnold did not include that he has done any. I find it very inspiring that has overcome any circumstances he went through and kept a joyful and driven attitude.
ReplyDeleteHey Sarah! Wow I really enjoyed listening and learning about Arnold’s story. I thought it was so interesting because it is so different from mine or anyone that I knows life. I can not imagine what it would be like to come from another country and away from everything that you know, then try to fit in. You really did a great job on your blog!
ReplyDeleteDang! You never really know what a person is going through. To hear this person's story and know he gone through is such an impactful experience. I can't even begin to comprehend how it feels to feels so empty and alone that you resort to drugs and alcohol. That seems like the worst possible feeling ever. My best wishes to your friend!!
ReplyDeleteSarah, I truly found your post very inspiring. Hearing Arnold's story made me acknowledge people on a completely different level. You never really know what people are going through. Everyone's background is different. Great post.
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